Outdoor cat’s prey becomes 2,000th patient at Metchosin wildlife centre
Published 5:00 pm Monday, December 15, 2025
The Wildlife Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin quietly marked a milestone this fall with its 2,000th patient of the year.
An Oregon junco, found frantically trying to escape an outdoor cat, came into care at the West Shore BC SPCA site in October.
“Luckily, a concerned resident acted quickly, safely containing and bringing the injured bird to Wild ARC for care,” the agency said on social media.
“Sadly, like many wild birds caught by cats, this junco had suffered several serious injuries that would not have healed on their own.”
The bird had significant cuts that needed stitching on one leg and atop its head.
“Because cat saliva carries harmful bacteria, the junco was started on antibiotics and pain medication right away to prevent infection and support recovery.”
After a week and a half of cage rest and close monitoring, the patient rejoined the outside world in an outdoor enclosure, before recently being released back into the wild.
Domestic cats injure or kill hundreds of millions of wild birds and mammals each year in North America, according to the BC SPCA, a longtime proponent of keeping cats indoors. To feed their outdoor desires, the agency recommends using a puzzle feeder and play sessions that mimic birds and mice, as well as scratching posts, trees and perches near windows. Other options they advise include harness training or building an outdoor enclosure for the feline pet.
For the outdoor type, the agency also dispels the myth of the bell as cats can learn to hunt very quietly. A collar with a bell may not provide an alarm for birds, which respond better to motion and bright colours. Collars such as CatBibs have been shown to stop 81 per cent of cats from catching birds, and those with Birdsbesafe cat collar covers were found to have up to 87 per cent fewer birds caught by cats.
The only rehab like it on the South Island, Wild ARC operates 365 days a year, treating 2,043 animals last year. Learn more at spca.bc.ca/locations/wild-arc.